Chasing Icons: It’s a Party in the Park at Big Bear
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Today is the day, we've made it to our seventeenth and final stop: Big Bear Mountain. The resort is actually two mountains in one—Snow Summit and Bear Mountain—and they make for a quick mountain getaway for the local Southern California community
A short drive from Los Angeles, Orange County, and even San Diego, the mountain is distinctly part of the surrounding SoCal culture. TGR Photo.
Big Bear is unique because it's loved by professionals across disciplines. Legends like surfer Rob Machado and skateboarder Jamie Thomas are stoked to call it their home mountain. TGR photo.
Big Bear is just close enough to the ocean to where, if you're really motivated, you could catch the surf and ride some corduroy within the same day, making it one of the few resorts in the U.S. where you can easily accomplish the "California Double."
"We are pretty spoiled in the sense that we have some amazing beaches, waves and some incredible mountains as well," Rob Machado, a pro surfer based in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
"My wife taught me how to snowboard right here, and our son rode a snowboard for the first time here too. Crazy...such a fun mountain. It has so many options for everyone." - Machado. TGR Photo
The longtime surfer was introduced to the mountain by his wife, who grew up shredding the area. Now he looks forward to piling into car and making the short trek out.
"I've only discovered the mountains in the past 5 years and I've been beyond impressed."
Mike Gray digs and sprays for a classic Big Bear slushy park lap. TGR photo.
Influenced heavily by the region's surf, skate, and music culture, the vibe is very much come are: Work hard, but play even harder. For the past 75 years it's been a mountain for those who want to hit up the park or shred a groomer in some of that California sunshine.
"Bear Mountain is definitely a unique place to ski, it has a TON of park features for people who want that and gives access to skiing and snowboarding for all of Southern California. It's a massive asset to the Ikon pass." -Ligare. TGR photo.
If there's one thing you should take away from Big Bear, it's the locals passion for freestyle terrain. It's the foundation of who they are.
"The park scene at Bear is the best because it's like a giant skatepark. Every time I go on a trip somewhere I miss home and the best park in the world."- Mike Gray, local professional snowboarder. TGR photo.
Spearheaded by skate/snowboard legend Tom Sims and Mountain Manager Karl Klouzer, Bear built the first ever permanent halfpipe at the resort in 1983. Snowboarding, owes a lot to Sims—the original founder of Sims Skateboards and Snowboards—who sought change the public's negative perception of the sport.
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The original Outlaw terrain park was the first in the industry. Now 85 percent of the mountain is comprised of freestyle terrain. TGR photo.
Big Bear not only gave him the chance to do that, but the terrain park has continued to progress since it's early beginnings in the '80s.
Rightfully garnering the nickname "The Park" for one of the most innovative and influential parks within the industry, it was the first to host the Winter X Games and where Shaun White first learned to ride.
Ranked consistently by Transworld SNOWboarding as one of the top 10 best parks in North America, Big Bear has got everything for the park rat in mind. TGR photo.
Catering to riders of any ability level, there are over 165 rails, boxes, and walls to choose from. Not mention the four world-class halfpipes, with one being the only superpipe in Southern California. Bear also boasts the most popular and longest-running web series in snowboarding—"Sunday In the Park"—which gives you a flavor of the shredding you can find in the San Bernardino Mountains.
"The highlight of the day was watching the pond skim with Rob, Jamie, and Mike, they are all great dudes and there was excellent carnage in the pond!" - Ligare. TGR photo.
We joined the party with not only Machado, but Jamie Thomas and Mike Gray. Our highlight was hitting the sunny, slushy jumps with the crew and watching things get extra rowdy at the pond skim.
"We were out there with everyone from pro- park riders to first timers and everyone was just enjoying themselves. The après scene was on point as well," Amie Engerbreston said. "There was a pond skim contest going down that was very entertaining and the sunny deck was a great spot for a cold beer!"
Concluding our voyage with a warm park session on slopes and a cold après; we can't think of a better way to wrap this road trip. 17 stops later and we've explored a lot of rad places and connected with even more incredible people.
As Ligare perfectly puts it, "Skiing is a perfect vehicle and excuse to explore new places, so find the time to get out there and see something new!"
So we're thankful that the Ikon Pass gave us that ability. For Engerbretson, this sense of exploration and adventure is the nature of the sport.
"Skiing and adventures go hand-in-hand, they both give you a sense of freedom and they both open your eyes to new and exciting things," Engerbretson said. "The IKON Pass and the Chasing Icons adventure brought those together for a great time, an adventure I will never forget!"
